How to Prepare for a Job in Health Informatics
Data and technology are driving the evolution of the health care industry, with job openings in health care informatics increasing across the board. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for medical records and health information technicians are expected to grow by 13% from 2016 to 2026.
The Paths to a Career in Health Informatics
As the demand for health informatics professionals has grown, so has the number of people entering the field. Below are some of the most common backgrounds and/or demographic groups moving into the field of health informatics.
Military/Veterans
Both the military and the VA have seen an increase in the need for health informatics professionals as large integrated systems use unified patient medical record systems, and a number of active military members and veterans have been exposed to health information while working in a military or VA hospital or clinic.
Foreign Medical Graduates Living in the US
According to the American Medical Informatics Association, a career in health informatics is an excellent option for foreign medical graduates because employers are actively seeking professionals with a strong health background and technological skills. Foreign medical graduates become excellent candidates for a variety of positions in this field.
Early Careerists/Career Changers
Many reports state that technology is the next best career field for the future, and a career in health informatics can be a wise choice for many people, including early careerists, because a graduate program can prepare you for certification and serve as an excellent foundation for landing your first job.
Clinical Care
A master’s degree in health care informatics can be appealing if you are an MD, nurse, pharmacist, or other clinical provider looking to advance your career. A graduate degree will allow you to build on your current health care knowledge and years of clinical experience.
Health Information Management
You’ll learn how to optimize clinical documentation systems and workflows, as well as develop other data-driven solutions, with a master’s degree in health informatics.
Why You Should Get a Master’s Degree in Health Informatics
With the shift to value-based care, health informatics professionals are in high demand. Professionals with a master’s degree in health informatics have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing a career. The right Master’s degree can set you apart from the competition and help you demonstrate your knowledge.
What jobs are there in health informatics?
Job Titles in Health Informatics
- Health Informatics Consultant.
- Health Informatics Director.
- Nursing Informatics Specialist.
- Chief Medical Information Officer.
- Electronic Medical Record Keeper.
Is Health Informatics a good career choice?
If you have experience in any of the following areas, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health informatics could be beneficial to you: Clinical health.
What are the most helpful qualifications for health informatics careers?
Check all that apply for laboratory skills, leadership, computer skills, organizational skills, teamwork, and creativity in the field of health informatics.
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Why have a career in health informatics?
Working in the field of health informatics ensures that data on a patient’s chart is accurate and up-to-date, which can improve patient outcomes by allowing vital health data to be accessed by all of a patient’s healthcare providers.
What are examples of health informatics?
Patient portals, electronic medical records (EMRs), telehealth, healthcare apps, and a variety of data reporting tools are all examples of health informatics, which is the intersection of people, technology, and data to improve the safety and quality of patient care.
Where can I study health informatics?
Here are our picks for the best master’s in health informatics programs:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 3 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL |
| 4 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL |
Is it worth getting a masters in health informatics?
Yes, a master’s degree in health informatics is worthwhile for many people; a health informatics degree can help you launch a career in the Health Informatics industry, with an average salary of $72,000.
What do you study in health informatics?
Health informatics is the study and application of resources and management techniques in the healthcare field; in other words, it employs modern data collection, analysis, and transmission methods to improve every aspect of the healthcare system.
Is a health informatics certificate worth it?
While a certificate in health informatics will undoubtedly aid in the development of key technical skills, it will not provide the same career advancement opportunities as a master’s degree; however, there are some circumstances in which a certificate program is a good fit.
How do I become a health informatics?
Steps to Become a Health Informatics Specialist Typically, students will earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing or another health-care-related field, followed by a master’s degree in health administration or health informatics.
What education requirements apply to health informatics?
A minimum of an associate’s degree is required for a technician position in the health informatics field, but different job titles and responsibilities may require a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree if you want to work in upper-level management. The pay scale increases with more education.
What can you do with masters in health informatics?
What Career Options Do Graduates with a Master’s in Health Informatics Have?
- HIM Director, Chief Medical Information Officer, Clinical Analyst, Health Data/Information Resource Manager, Health Information System Application Designer, Chief Information Officer, IT Consultant, Informatics Nurses
What is the future of health informatics?
Health informatics focuses on data, technology, and science, and falls under the STEM umbrella. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of informaticists is expected to grow 15% between 2014 and 2024, much faster than the average growth of all occupations in the United States.
What is the easiest healthcare degree to get?
How to Easily Enter a Medical Career
- Medical Transcriptionist.
- Physical Therapy Assistant.
- Nursing Assistant.
- Medical Secretary.
- Radiology Technician.
- Home Health Aide.
- Occupational Therapist Aide.
- Phlebotomy Technician.
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